Indian football team has been placed with United States of America, Ghana and Colombia in Group A of 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The tournament will be held from October 6-28.

The Indian football team will hope to go past the group stages at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.(AIFF)

Hosts India avoided some of the heavyweights of world football in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup draw held in Mumbai on Friday, but they will face some tricky ties nonetheless. The tournament will be held from October 6-28.

Indian football team were drawn in Group A where they will lock horns with the United States of America (USA), Colombia and Ghana. All three countries have been regulars in the competitions while it will be India’s maiden appearance in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

USA have qualified for 15 editions and their best finish came in the 1999 edition where they finished fourth in FIFA U-17 World Cup. Colombia have participated in five editions and their best result was a fourth-placed finish in 2009.

India coach Luis Norton de Matos described Ghana as the best in this age-group from the African region. They have been to eight previous editions of FIFA U-17 World Cup and have been champions in 1991 and 1995.

India’s matches

India (A1) will play their first match against USA (A2) in their first match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in New Delhi on October 6. The hosts will then go on to face Colombia (A3) and Ghana (A4) on October 9 and 12 respectively at the same venue.